101

Chapter 101
*Freya*
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Daniel asked, his gaze filled with with wonders as he glanced around the room. It truly was, I thought.
I stared at the vast ballroom in wonder. It was magnificent. It was a masterpiece of beauty and top royalty, the magical appearance was beyond my imagination. Crystal chandeliers hung like stars from the ceiling, the light casting a warm, golden glow across the room. The walls were adorned with lights and glimmer and there were artworks everywhere, depicting the history and legends of our kind, each thread specially woven to capture the essence of every werewolf that existed. A grand staircase spiraled down from the upper balcony, where more guests mingled, their laughter and chatter a soft hum above the music.
“You’re doing great,” Daniel whispered, his reassuring smile pulling me out of my thoughts.
I tried to focus on the dance, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I didn’t belong here. Unlike everyone else in the room, I wasn’t a true werewolf. My weird power set me apart, a constant reminder that I was different. They all had the aura about them that would let you know they were powerful shifters. But me, I looked normal. My heart pounded in my chest, not from the effort of dancing, but from the anxiety gnawing at the edges of my mind. Did they all know? Could they sense it? I was grateful I couldn’t see Kelly. She seemed to be busy trying to get the attention of other Alphas. If not, I was pretty sure Kelly would have tried to make my life more of a living hell.
“Hey,” Daniel’s voice broke through my reverie as he pulled me into a gentle hug. “I’m here with you, Freya. You’re not alone.”
His embrace was warm and comforting, and I felt a swell of gratitude for his friendship. “Thank you,” I murmured, my voice barely audible over the music.
As we continued to dance, I turned slightly, and my eyes landed on Rafe. I sucked in a deep breath as a fire settled deep within me. Rafe looked the epitome of perfection, his presence commanding and magnetic. His dark hair was immaculately styled, his eyes a piercing blue that seemed to see right through me. He moved with an effortless grace, a natural leader even in something as simple as a dance.
My heart sank as I saw someone give him a kiss on the cheek-Jessica. She looked stunning, her dress a shimmering cascade of silver that clung to her every curve. They moved together seamlessly, as if they were one entity, perfectly in sync.
For a fleeting moment, our gazes clashed. The world around us seemed to blur, leaving only him and me in sharp focus. His eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a jolt of electricity shoot through me. It was as though he could read every thought, every emotion that flickered across my mind. The connection was intense, almost palpable, and for a brief second, I allowed myself to imagine what it would be like to be the one in his arms.
But reality came crashing back as quickly as the moment had come. He was with Jessica, and I was just a spectator, forever on the outside looking in. I tore my gaze away, focusing once more on Daniel, hoping he hadn’t noticed the silent exchange.
“Ready for the next song?” Daniel asked, his voice filled with a light-heartedness that I envied.
“Absolutely,” I replied, forcing a smile. But deep down, the ache remained, a constant reminder of what would never be.
“Did you think you were special?” Jessica’s voice echoed in my mind, a cruel reminder of our earlier encounter. “Alpha Rafe asked *me* to be his date to the ball, not you!” she had gloated, her eyes gleaming with triumph. I had forced myself to smile politely, masking the discomfort that gnawed at me. I had told Rafe that he should go with Jessica if he wanted to, knowing full well it was the pack elders pushing him. But now, watching them glide across the floor, their movements so effortlessly graceful, I felt a pang of regret.
“Freya, focus,” I chided myself silently, trying to shift my attention back to Daniel. But every fiber of my being seemed magnetized towards Rafe. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t tear my eyes away. The way his hand rested on Jessica’s waist, the way he leaned in slightly as they spoke-it all felt like tiny daggers piercing my heart.
“Freya?” Daniel’s voice broke through the fog of my thoughts. His touch on my shoulder was gentle but insistent.
“Sorry,” I muttered, snapping out of my reverie. I turned to face him, hoping my cheeks weren’t betraying the turmoil inside. Daniel’s gaze was warm and understanding, but there was a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
“Lost in thought again?” he teased lightly.
“Something like that,” I replied, managing a weak smile. I hoped he hadn’t noticed where my attention had been. Or who it had been on.
“Well, try to keep your head here with me,” he said, spinning me around playfully. His attempt to lighten the mood was appreciated but did little to ease the ache in my chest.
“Right, here with you,” I repeated, more for my own benefit than his. As we continued to dance, I risked another glance at Rafe. Our eyes met briefly, an intense look that sent shivers down my spine. He looked almost… frustrated? Angry? It was hard to decipher from this distance.
“Freya,” Daniel said again, this time with a bit more urgency. I forced myself to focus on him, on the present moment. “You okay?”
“Yeah, just… distracted,” I admitted sheepishly.
“By someone tall, dark, and brooding over there?” Daniel guessed, raising an eyebrow.
“Not at all,” I lied, feeling my face heat up.
“Sure,” he said, not pressing the issue further but giving me a knowing look. I sighed inwardly, grateful yet embarrassed. I needed to get a grip, to stop pining after something that was never mine to begin with. But as much as I tried, my heart refused to listen.
“Daniel, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady. My cheeks were still warm from the tension of Rafe’s piercing gaze.
“Really?” Daniel drawled, his lips curling into a mischievous smile as he spun me around again. “Because it sure seems like Alpha Rafe was watching us like he wanted to kill me. Or you. Or both of us.” I couldn’t help but giggle at his words. Rafe really did look like he was angry about something.
“You’re imagining things,” I replied, my eyes darting everywhere but in Rafe’s direction. The chandeliers hanging above us sparkled with an opulence that only made me feel more out of place. I didn’t belong here, and yet, here I was, caught in this web of emotions.
“Am I?” Daniel teased, leaning in closer. His playful demeanor did little to mask the sincerity in his eyes. “Come on, Freya, you can’t seriously believe he’s not interested in you. That look could have set this entire ballroom on fire.”
“He’s not looking at me,” I insisted, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. Wasn’t Rafe supposed to be entertaining Jessica? The way she clung to his arm earlier suggested she would demand all his attention. He could not be looking at me. No matter how badly I wanted to be the center of his attention, it would never happen. Not with the women flocking around him.
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